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Azure PowerShell Support Lifecycle

Every Microsoft product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it's no longer supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to upgrade or make other changes to your software.

The Azure PowerShell support lifecycle is designed to provide clarity and predictability for customers regarding support for each release. The length of time and degree of support vary based on a few qualifications. The Azure PowerShell support lifecycle follows Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy unless specified otherwise in this article.

"Azure PowerShell" consists of the PowerShell module named "Az" and the dependent PowerShell modules signed by "Microsoft Corporation". For the current list of Az PowerShell modules, see Azure PowerShell Modules.

Versioning

Azure PowerShell follows Semantic Versioning for version numbering. Semantic versioning is a system that uses a three-part number format: major.minor.patch.

  • Major versions: Breaking changes, including architectural and fundamental design changes.
  • Minor versions: Backwards compatible feature updates and improved Azure services coverage.
  • Patch versions: Backwards compatible security fixes without new features or functionality changes.

Module version types

Releases of Azure PowerShell can include the following types of versions:

  • Generally available (GA): Modules version 1.0.0 and higher without preview in the version. Adheres to breaking change policy.
  • Preview: Modules less than version 1.0.0. Don't adhere to breaking change policy.
  • Feature preview: Modules version 1.0.0 and higher with preview in the version. Don't adhere to breaking change policy.

Caution

Preview and Feature preview versions aren't recommended for production environments.

There are two Az PowerShell modules:

  • Az. Installs all GA service modules for managing Azure resources.
  • AzPreview. Installs all GA and preview modules for managing Azure resources. Doesn't include feature preview modules.

The AzPreview module is always the same version and is released at the same time as the Az module.

Release cadence

Azure PowerShell is updated monthly, with up to two annual releases introducing breaking changes. This release cadence is designed to provide customers with predictable release dates, empowering businesses, developers, and the community to make strategic decisions when planning their roadmaps.

Warning

Before upgrading to a major breaking change version of the Az PowerShell module, you should review the migration guide.

Support of releases

Azure PowerShell currently ships only one type of generally available release: Standard Term Support (STS). All major versions are considered STS releases.

  • Standard Term Support (STS) releases

    • STS versions are supported until the next major release of Azure PowerShell.
    • Supported for approximately six months from the original major version release date.
    • Receives minor version and patch updates until out of support.

Important

You must install the latest minor and patch version to qualify for support.

Breaking changes

Major version releases of Azure PowerShell introduce breaking changes and occur up to two times per year. Various types of breaking changes can occur in cmdlets. For more information, see Breaking Change Definition. Breaking changes may occur at any point for preview and feature preview modules. Non-GA modules aren't required to adhere to breaking change policies.

Breaking change warning messages

Breaking change warning messages allow Azure PowerShell cmdlet authors to communicate upcoming breaking changes with end users.

Suppress breaking change warning messages

To suppress breaking change warning messages, see Configure breaking change warning messages in global settings.

For more information, see Breaking Changes Attribute Help.

List of breaking changes

For detailed information about breaking changes in major releases of the Az PowerShell module, see the following articles.

Supported environments

The following table identifies the supported platforms for the Azure PowerShell modules.

Note

Azure PowerShell is supported only on versions of PowerShell that are still within their support lifecycle. For details, refer to the PowerShell end-of-support dates.

Azure PowerShell PowerShell
7.x (any supported version)		 Windows PowerShell
5.1
Supported Az 15.x Supported Supported
Out of Support <= Az 14.x Out of Support Out of Support
  • The Supported icon indicates supported version combinations of Azure PowerShell and PowerShell.
  • The Out of Support icon indicates version combinations of Azure PowerShell and PowerShell that are no longer supported.
  • The Not Supported icon indicates unsupported version combinations of Azure PowerShell and PowerShell.

Azure PowerShell application ID guidance

The Azure PowerShell application ID is reserved exclusively for that tool and must not be used for other purposes. For questions or concerns, use the official support channels.

Note

This application ID is subject to change or limitation at any time, and its continued availability isn't guaranteed.

Other resources

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